When Kyle Schuneman moved into half of a Victorian duplex in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood, he didn't know how long he would live there. What he did know, however, is that he felt duty-bound to make his mark on the apartment. “Even in a rental, it's about making a space that works for you,” he says. With these big-impact, low-commitment decorating ideas, he proves that living well isn't just for homeowners.

Using plumbing parts and lumber from the Home Depot, Schuneman built an industrial-style bookcase for the narrow space behind the living room sofa. Since the piece is on casters, it can easily move out whenever Schuneman does.

Schuneman hits the flea market for large, affordable pieces that can function as artwork, including this San Francisco bus signage that he scored for $25. “I liked these because they had a local angle, but old maps or educational posters work too,” he says.

Schuneman covered a dated built-in mirror above the mantel with an Airstream photo he had blown up and printed on canvas. Mine your pictures for a masterpiece. “Landscapes work great because they can feel like paintings,” he says. $523 as shown; canvasondemand.com

To create an office within his bedroom, Schuneman added a slim desk and put up metal and cork shelves (after putting down strips of painter's tape and then industrial Velcro to protect the walls). $15/4 cork tiles; officedepot.com

“Lots of ideas for the apartment came from researching my book,” Schuneman says. Info: The First Apart­ment Book: Cool Design for Small Spaces (Clarkson Potter, 2012; $25).

Here are Kyle Schuneman's go-to home decorating shops.

— West Elm for drapery, pillows, and bedding. Their classic pieces can mix with other items to create a rich look. westelm.com— Dash & Albert Rug Company for big indoor and outdoor rugs that are really affordable. dashandalbert.com— Big Daddy's Antiques in Los Angeles and San Francisco for wild antiques that are always conversation starters. bdantiques.com— Croft House in L.A. for reclaimed furniture. “I love supporting small businesses, and these guys make great custom pieces,” he says.crofthouse.com — b2 for dishware. Use white dishes for entertaining, because they go with everything and show off whatever you're serving. cb2.com